Erith Town unveil Royston as player-coach

ERITH TOWN have pulled off a shock transfer by signing former Maidstone United defender Ryan Royston, writes Stephen McCartney.

Royston, who secured back-to-back titles for the Stones, winning promotion from the Kent League to the Ryman Premier League, and has also recently played for Ryman League sides Cray Wanderers and Ramsgate, has joined the Kent League club as player-coach.

And the Dockers, who begin their campaign with a home game against Sevenoaks Town on Saturday, have secured a season long loan deal with Cray Wanderers for young striker Richmond Kissi.

Assistant manager Tony Potts, speaking to www.erithtown.com, said: "We have changed the way we play and tried to bring in players who get the ball down and play.

"Last year we were a bit one dimensional. The pre-season games have gone well and we have knocked the ball about well.

"Even though we’ve played higher opposition we haven’t been outclassed. We have kept going to the end of games so the training has paid off. In training we have worked on the pattern of play and have taken it into matches."

Erith Town take their reserve side to Corinthian tomorrow night - the Longfield outfit are expected to be welcomed into the premier division at an emergency meeting at Lordswood on Wednesday night.

"Players have missed bits of pre-season so some will play on Tuesday to get minutes so they can be ready for Saturday," revealed Potts.

"Even with injuries we now look strong because of the reserve team.

"I think our reserves are better than some first teams. They are a young side and will get better and that is good for the future of the club.

"There is a first team squad of 16 or so and then another 10 or so in the reserves who can play. Last year we were running out of players, now we have more than one player for each position."

Looking ahead to the new season, Potts added, "Last year we were challenging but fell away. This time in the last few weeks we want to be in a position to be able to challenge for the title."

Meanwhile, nineteen-year-old striker Marcus Cassius, who scored 43 goals for Erith Town last season, has signed a one-year contract with Blue Square South side Bromley, having impressed manager Mark Goldberg whilst on trial at Hayes Lane and scoring against a strong Gillingham side last week.

Meanwhile, following weeks of discussions, Erith & Belvedere have decided to play reserve team games away from the Erith Sports Stadium this season.

The Deres’ second string will play their home fixtures at Thamesmead Town’s Bayliss Avenue.

"Erith Sports Centre dramatically increased their match day costs for the use of the pitch and we were left with no alternative than to seek an alternative venue," said a statement issued on www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk.

"Preliminary talks were held with Slade Green FC before an agreement was reached with Thamesmead Town.

"However, with Thamesmead Town’s first and reserve sides having priority use of the pitch on Saturday’s, Erith & Belvedere reserves will play all their home fixtures at Bayliss Avenue on Monday evenings."

Quotes courtesy of www.erithtown.com

Erith Town v Sevenoaks Town
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 8th August 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Erith Sports Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith, Kent DA8 3AT